DTV Transition Delayed

Congress passed the DTV Delay Act, which extends the deadline for full-power broadcast TV stations to complete the digital TV (DTV) transition from Feb. 17, 2009, to June 12, 2009. The new law allows more time for consumers to prepare for the DTV transition. However, Congress did not require stations to continue broadcasting in analog after Feb. 17, so stations may choose to complete their transition and stop broadcasting in analog before June 12.

The DTV transition is meant to cut signal transmission to analog televisions that receive free over-the-air TV programming with an outdoor antenna or “rabbit ears” on the TV. Customers have three options: purchase and connect a digital-to-analog converter box to their analog TV, purchase a digital television (a TV with a built-in digital tuner) or subscribe to a paid service, such as cable or satellite TV. Each U.S. household is eligible to receive two $40 coupons to be used toward the purchase of two digital-to-analog converter boxes.

Though your local broadcast stations may complete the transition before June 12, broadcast stations are required to notify their viewers before shutting off their analog channels.

For more information on the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program or to apply for coupons, visit www.dtv2009.gov, or call 888.388.2009. For more information about the DTV transition, go to www.dtv.gov.